Family & Pets

Five Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day with the Whole Family

Red, pink and Hallmark printed all over, Valentine’s Day is an occasion for cynics to show their disdain, lovers to reaffirm their affection and anyone and everyone to remind those near and dear that they are loved. Why not share the occasion with the whole gang, and let the kids get in on the Valentine’s Day action? A romantic night out, courtesy of a caring babysitter, can be made possible any time of year. Share some sweetness with the whole family, and spend V Day at one of these family-friendly attractions that will keep love in the air for years to come.

Temperatures may be dipping outdoors, but inside Waterbury’s CoCo Key Water Resort it is swimming weather all year round. Grab a suit and an inner tube and hit the slides, at this child’s playground disguised as a resort and hotel. Day passes are available as well as overnight accommodations, so if a day of chasing the kids up and down the slides and structures has tired you out, stay the night. Grab a bite at the TradeWinds restaurant and retire to your room with some content, albeit tired, kids in tow.

Indulging in a culinary experience is stimulating to all of the senses; why settle into a booth and eat a burger when you can feed yourself at your leisure? Darien’s The Melting Pot will entice the kid in you and the whole family. Is there anything more appealing than coating vegetables, shrimp, Lobster and more in gooey Wisconsin Cheddar? Yes, and it involves marinating strawberries, cheesecake Rice Krispies and more in a bath of melted chocolate. Grab a skewer and pop some delicious fondue-d delicacies into your mouths.

Strap on some skates and grab a partner for a night out at the Groton’s Galaxy Roller Rink. Meeting up at the local roller disco has been a romantic rendezvous since the ‘70s, so bring the kids along and spend Valentine’s Day, rolling around to some groovy tunes. Galaxy hosts theme nights throughout the week, ranging from a Top 40 skate playing today’s hits, to a Tiny Totz Skate and Bounce, letting little ones enjoy the bounce house and take a supervised spin around the hardwood floor. Lace up and take a few laps!

A little friendly competition never hurt everyone, especially when Mom and Dad are neck and neck to reach the finish line in a go-cart race, with kids cheering on the sidelines. Dadd’s Xtreme Indoor Sports in West Haven houses a bowling alley, lazer tag, a haunted maze, baseball and softball games and more. For fun, games and sports, Dadd’s will keep you entertained. Stick to the arcade or a round of mini golf if you’re crew is composed of young children, but feel free to enter a laser tag competition if your family won’t be afraid of the dark.

Looking to get away from it all? Pamper yourselves and the kids, with a stay at Foxwoods Resort and Casino. While the idea of bringing kids to a casino seems backwards, take turns playing the slots, if you so desire, while you tour the grounds and maybe indulge in a massage at the Norwich Spa. Tour the grounds on the Pequot Trail and admire the beauty of our indigent plants and wildlife, as well as gain access to views of Block Island. If a child-friendly comic is showing at the theater, bring the kids to Comix and enjoy a laugh together.

Dani Frank is a fashion, travel and culture enthusiast and writer living in Easton, Connecticut. A recent graduate of Hofstra University, she is most happy when traversing the East Coast and beyond and documenting it all for curious readers. Read her further work at http://offmanhattan.com/author/danielle-frank/